Cubs catcher prevents a run from scoring in 4th, belts winning HR in 8th

While Mike Quade's Cubs were coming back from a four-run deficit to beat the Astros 5-4 Monday, Ryne Sandberg's Iowa Cubs blew a three-run lead to Memphis in a 7-6 loss that knocked them out of a postseason spot on the final day of the Triple-A season.

Casey Coleman, who spent most of the year pitching for Sandberg, overcame a four-run second to last six innings, while Geovany Soto homered with two outs in the eighth to put the Cubs on top.

Soto had been leveled by Michael Bourn in the fourth inning on a play at the plate, but he hung onto the ball for a crucial out.

"To take one in the face on a play at the plate and do something like that ..." Quade said of Soto. "He's a lot tougher than people know."

Soto homered off Wilton Lopez, who came on in relief of Wandy Rodriguez. He said Bourn hit him pretty good.

"But I held onto the ball, and that's what counts there," Soto said, adding that it was a "clean" hit.

Carlos Marmol pitched a perfect ninth for his 28th save, and reliever Andrew Cashner earned his second win in seven decisions with a perfect eighth.

The Cubs improved to 9-4 under Quade, while Sandberg's season ended in disappointment. Pitcher Jeff Samardzija is expected to be called up soon.

Castro watch: The Cubs played without shortstop Starlin Castro, who forgot how many outs there were and was thrown out during Sunday's 18-5 loss to the Mets. Quade had a meeting with Castro on Monday morning and told him he'd sit for two games.

"It's going to help me improve my game," said Castro, who added he's not mentally fatigued and that it was just a "mistake."

"It's something that happened and I'll learn from it," he said.

Extra innings: Aramis Ramirez sat out with a sore right quad. Quade said it's nothing serious and will be monitored. … Carlos Silva makes his first start Tuesday since leaving the Aug. 1 game in Denver with an irregular heartbeat. … Marlon Byrd hit his first home run since Aug. 11.